Call for expression of interest (EOI) for partnership with national NGOs to implement Sustainable Legal Protection activities for Refugees from Syria in Lebanon

Introduction 

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) supports people affected by displacement living in Lebanon and advocates for their rights inside the country, regionally and internationally. We also work to serve vulnerable Lebanese affected by the deteriorating economic situation in the country, and are providing assistance to vulnerable households in the neighbourhoods most affected by the Beirut port explosion. In 2020, our programmes reached 488,500 refugees and vulnerable Lebanese with Legal Assistance, Shelter, WASH, Education, Youth and Emergency Response. NRC Lebanon’s Covid-19 response includes crosscutting activities and sector-specific Covid-19 support. NRC also implements activities with local partners to extend its access to people in need. We have operations in Beirut/ Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, South and North Lebanon. 

NRC’s Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA) programme was established in 2012 and delivers legal services country-wide supporting refugees’ communities. The programme provides information, counselling, legal assistance and representation to refugees from Syria, on a range of legal issues including civil documentation, legal residency, housing, land, and property (HLP) rights and employment rights.  

In line with NRC Global programme strategy, ‘’NRC will partner more with actors that have complementary expertise in order to strengthen the impact of its programmes. We believe that equal partnerships can enhance both local and NRC’s own capacity, and offer opportunities for more integrated responses and sustainable programme and protection approaches. NRC aims to partner with a range of local actors in order to improve programme effectiveness, strengthen programme outcomes, broaden outreach and access.’’ 

Project background  

NRC’s Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA) project entitled ‘’Ensuring Sustainable Legal Protection for Refugees from Syria in Lebanon through Local Partnerships & Advocacy’’ is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC and aims to increase legal protection for refugees and other vulnerable populations through local partnerships with national NGOs and supports evidence-based advocacy initiatives. These partnerships will aim at legal service delivery, capacity building and joint advocacy efforts on key legal protection issues. 

NRC’s ICLA programme has built solid experience on developing methodologies and quality standards for legal service provision and has built partnerships and supported local capacity in a number of country programmes. Under this project, NRC seeks to identify and to exchange experience and expertise with national NGO partners who provide legal services and / or conduct advocacy work on legal protection concerns in Lebanon. Partnerships will promote sustainable assistance to refugees and other vulnerable groups in the medium to long term, and will increase awareness and engagement with key stakeholders on legal protection issues through targeted advocacy activities.  

Objective of the call for expression of interest 

The main objective of the call for expression of interest is to identify and select two (2) national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with experience in legal aid delivery on legal protection issues, interested in establishing a downstream partnership with NRC and becoming an implementing partner for the provision of legal services to refugees from Syria and other vulnerable groups and carry out joint advocacy activities.  

Duration of the Project 

The duration of the project funded by SDC is 34 months [from 1 July 2020 to 30 April 2023]. Within the life span of the project, NRC will subscribe partner agreements of the duration of 1 year, renewable by mutual consent for an additional time period upon assessment. 

Project Goal and  Outcomes 

The project main goal is the following: ‘’Increase legal protection for refugees from Syria and other vulnerable populations through local partnerships and evidence-based advocacy initiatives’’. 

Outcome 1: Improved access to rights and services for refugees from Syria and other vulnerable groups delivered through national NGOs 

This project component includes the provision of legal services by national NGO partners, within the area of legal protection work and related protection programming. The content and focus of NGO partners’ activities will build on their respective expertise, implementation experience, organizational capacity and added value. For legal services, this could entail different thematic areas covered (i.e. civil documentation, legal residency, housing, land and property rights and employment rights) but also different combinations of types of services (information provision, counselling and legal assistance / representation). 

Applying partners are encouraged to describe previous experiences in legal aid delivery and suggested activities in line with this outcome. 

Outcome 2: Increased awareness and engagement on legal protection issues benefitting refugees from Syria through targeted advocacy work 

This project component will entail joint advocacy efforts between NRC and selection national partners on key legal protection issues affecting refugees and other vulnerable groups. Advocacy deliverables will include topic-specific policy briefs, thematic discussions and research initiatives building on evidence from ongoing programmes and secondary data review.  

Applying partners are encouraged to outline the main themes in their ongoing advocacy work and/or the areas they would like to explore with targeted advocacy work based on strong programmatic data from ongoing legal programmes.  

Scope of the Project 

Geographic Coverage 

The partnerships planned under this project with national NGOs will seek to cover geographic areas across Lebanon, prioritizing locations with significant refugee populations and identified legal protection needs and service gaps.  

Target Beneficiaries 

Direct beneficiaries:  Refugees affected by the Syria crisis, Palestinian refugees from Lebanon and other vulnerable groups.  

Indirect Beneficiaries: Larger segment of the refugee population, host community and  legal service providers. 

Budget  

Each partnership budget amounts to a maximum of USD 200,000. In line with NRC’s regulations on partnerships, a partnership agreement will cover separate installments, depending agreed project deliverables. Subject to successful implementation, such agreements will then be followed by a new grant to the same NGO partner within the lifespan of the main project. 

Expression of Interest (EOI) selection process. 

A selection panel established by NRC, with combination of programme, finance, and senior management, will review the submitted EOI and concept notes. Potential organizations obtaining highest score in the shortlisting process will be invited for further discussion on the EOI and concept note. 

The selection panel will on the basis of the score obtained during selection process, and the outcome of the meeting with the potential partners, recommend for the approval of the potential agency for partnership. The selected partner(s) will then undergo a vetting and due diligence process, before the final sign off and agreement to partnership. 

NRC respect and commit to the principles of equality, impartiality and transparency, which guides the selection process in identifying partners sharing the same principles. NRC will ensure the selection process is fully impartial and compliant to its policies and guidelines so that the appropriate and best suitable partner get selected. 

Partner Eligibility Criteria: 

Expertise and experience in legal protection: Previous experience in the delivery of legal services (awareness raising, information provision, legal counselling, legal assistance / representation to refugees and vulnerable groups, in particular on civil documentation, legal residency, housing, land and property, employment rights).   

Experience in project management and project cycle management tools.   

Involvement and presence at local level with good reputation and is well accepted among local stakeholders in the communities and areas of operation.  

Previous experience with international donors or partnership experience working with INGOs. 

Experience in protection activities or protection mainstreaming, including focus on People with special needs (PWSN). 

Demonstrated  interest in legal protection-focused advocacy work  

Organization is neutral, independent, impartial and is guided by the humanitarian principles. 

How to apply

Eligible applicants 

National non-governmental organizations 

Registered in Lebanon according to Lebanese laws 

Requirements for Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) 

The Expression of Interest template (Annex I) signed by head of organization. 

Concept note including an outline on project implementation modality, a capacity statement of the organization to implement the proposed project, and a budget outline. (Annex II) 

A copy of constitution and/ or by- laws of the organization and a copy of the Certificate of Registration. 

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